Abstract
The acrosome reaction has long been thought to be induced by the zona pellucida. Here we report the identification and function of a novel human sperm glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored membrane protein, NYD-SP8. The release of the protein during sperm-egg interaction and its binding to the cumulus, the first layer of egg investment, elicits cross-talk between the gametes and produces calcium dependant release of progesterone, which lead to the acrosome reaction. An in vivo mouse model of NYD-SP8 immunization is also established showing a reduced fertility rate. Thus, contrary to accepted dogma, our study demonstrates for the first time that, prior to reaching the zona pellucida, sperm may release a surface protein that acts on the cumulus cells leading to the acrosome reaction, which may be important for determining the outcome of fertilization.
Publication types
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
-
Acrosome Reaction / physiology*
-
Amino Acid Sequence
-
Animals
-
Antibodies, Monoclonal / genetics
-
Antibodies, Monoclonal / metabolism
-
Antigens, Surface / genetics
-
Antigens, Surface / metabolism
-
Calcium / metabolism
-
Cell Communication / physiology*
-
Cumulus Cells / cytology
-
Cumulus Cells / metabolism*
-
Female
-
Fertility
-
Fertilization
-
GPI-Linked Proteins
-
Glycosylphosphatidylinositols / genetics
-
Glycosylphosphatidylinositols / metabolism*
-
Humans
-
Male
-
Membrane Proteins / genetics
-
Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
-
Mice
-
Molecular Sequence Data
-
Oocytes / cytology
-
Oocytes / metabolism
-
Progesterone / metabolism
-
Sequence Alignment
-
Spermatozoa / cytology
-
Spermatozoa / metabolism*
-
Tissue Distribution
Substances
-
Antibodies, Monoclonal
-
Antigens, Surface
-
GPI-Linked Proteins
-
Glycosylphosphatidylinositols
-
Membrane Proteins
-
TEX101 protein, human
-
TEX101 protein, mouse
-
Progesterone
-
Calcium